AfriKa CRY BLOOD

by Phillippe Aimey (www.nationnews.com)

THE FAMILY of the late I’Akobi Maloney has secured an attorney.

Maggie Maloney, mother of I’Akobi, who said she had been having difficulty securing a lawyer, has retained the services of attorney-at-law Andrew Pilgrim. The family has been voicing concerns over the circumstances surrounding the death of their loved one who was a former Barbados Exhibition winner.

“I always bring each case close to home, no one or institution is untouchable and we will be pursuing every available channel until this matter is taken seriously,” said Pilgrim in an exclusive interview with the DAILY NATION. (more…)

by PCA (www.nationnews.com)

“THIS IS MY SON. I bore him in my womb for ten months and they took him from me. I just want justice.”

These were the words of Maggie Maloney, the mother of the late I’Akobi Maloney, yesterday as she took part in a protest march yesterday during the official Emancipation Day celebrations which marched from Independence Square to Bay Street.

Maloney wept openly in front of Prime Minister David Thompson and other Government officials yesterday morning and repeatedly said those words. (more…)

by PCA (www.nationnews.com)

Emancipation Celebrations have been described as being a “total success”.

Acting Director of the Pan-African Commission, Deryck Murray, said he was pleased with the level of participation.

“We had a very good turnout this morning and I think that speaks volumes for this country with the wide cross-section of people who took part.

“The cultural presentations were on point. Odale’s Choice was dynamic and we are looking forward to next year.”

Reacting to a protest by a group of Rastafarians calling for an investigation into the death of one of their brethren, Murray said he had no difficulties.

“I think the protest added the final element to these celebrations. This is what emancipation is about, especially in a democratic society. It was orderly and all they are seeking is clarity. I am glad that the Justice Committee saw this as an opportunity to voice their concerns peacefully.”

Security for the walk was also well organised with police directing traffic from as early as 6 a.m.

by PCA (www.nationnews.com)

DESPITE the police’s promise of a thorough investigation, a lobby group will be pressing ahead with further demonstrations today to protest the death of I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney.

The Justice Committee, which comprises a number of Rastafarian groups, plans to publicly highlight its concerns during today’s Emancipation Day activities.

The committee will be joining the rest of the nation on the official march from Independence Square to Bay Street, following which the committee’s members will also make their statement during celebrations organised by the Clement Payne Centre at Bayley’s Plantation in St Philip.

In a statement released yesterday, the committee said: “We are very disappointed and distressed with the recent police reports related to the I’Akobi Maloney case. As a result, we are taking this to the streets in an effort to raise public awareness about this matter as we seek justice.”

The statement further stated: “We demand a fair investigation and trial and we also demand elimination of the scourge of Rastafari profiling and victimisation.” (more…)

“Dissatisfied and disgruntled; disappointed and distressed, this is how we feel about all recent police reports related to the I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney case.” Such was the general sentiment of community members who raised their deep concerns once again at a Town Hall meeting on Monday night, June 28, 2008, only a couple days after police returned Tacuma’s haversack and its contents to mother, Margaret Maloney.

The community has agreed to take their demonstration to the streets. There will be an unannounced march in protest of the current investigation being conducted (by the local police) on the unusual death of Ras Tacuma. The demonstrators will seek to raise public awareness and express collective dissent with the current standard of justice being served. We demand a fair investigation and trial. We demand elimination of the scourge of Rastafari profiling, stereotyping and victimisation. We demand equal rights and justice.

On Friday, August 1, 2008 the community will canvas the public with brochures, flags, badges and other memorabilia while collecting petition signatures from diverse supporters. The time has come for real change. Click here for more details on the emancipation activities.